On May 3rd, the European Commission released its strategy for biodiversity linked with the Europe 2020 strategy and the importance of green growth for Europe.

Through this strategy, the Commission will:

Broaden the knowledge on biodiversity, in association with the European Environment Agency.

Preserve existing ecosystems through the full implementation of « Birds » and « Habitats » directives.

Improve ecosystems by restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems by 2020.

Contribute to a more sustainable agriculture (no concrete proposal on this point)

Contribute to a more sustainable management of forests. The strategy includes the development of sustainable forest management plans for all public and private forests over a certain size and benefiting from financial support under EU rural development programs.

Contribute to a more sustainable management of fish stocks in order to achieve the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2015.

Fight against invasive non-native species. Thus, the European Commission expects in priority to identify invasive non-native species and their access routes to prevent the installation and introduction of new species.

Contribute, for the European Union, to fight against biodiversity loss at a global level.
The strategy recommends finishing the implementation of the Natura 2000 network by 2012, including the marine environment and will soon make proposals for funding.

The Commission quotes enterprises, civil society, peripheral regions and overseas territories, searchers, EU candidates or potential candidates as partners. But the Commission does not quote local authorities as key partners.

This strategy, considered as essential, has been criticized by NGOs for the lack of target figures.